So many people worldwide are plagued by financial insecurity as the cost of living continues to increase. Aside from getting a better-paid job, how can you increase your income every month to support your family?
The easiest and most popular option available to you is to start a side hustle! And as we explain, side hustles come in many forms and have a whole host of benefits, which should inspire you to begin a project of your own today.
What Exactly is a Side Hustle?
‘Side hustle’ is the term used to describe an income-generating activity that you can do alongside your full-time job. Side hustles tend to begin small, and most people are happy to add a couple of hundred dollars to their paycheck every month.
But if it runs well, side hustles can easily morph into a full-time role, and lots of freelancers who start out with a side hustle opt to switch to it as their primary source of income. Here are six reasons why you should consider starting a side hustle today.
Money, Money, Money
Let’s get the most obvious point out of the way first. Starting a side hustle is an excellent way of earning extra money. Even earning an extra $100 a month could pay for a dream holiday if you’re good at saving or can help you pay off a looming credit card debt that’s been eating away at your bank statement for years.
No matter what your motivation for earning more money is, a side hustle will help you increase your wealth. While money might not be your sole motivation (as we explore below), the fact that you will end the month with extra cash in your account is a huge bonus and something that is driving the popularity of the gig economy.
Increase Your Productivity
While the occasional Netflix and chill or a blowout on GTA Online are good for the soul, lounging around every night after work isn’t the most productive way to spend your time. People who launch side hustles make the most of their spare time and start earning money by doing something that they enjoy.
Starting a small business on the side is incredibly exciting, too, and you will find that you quickly become invested in making it successful. You will still have time to kick back and relax with your mates once in a while, but committing to a side hustle will fill idle hours that you previously spent wasting away in front of the TV.
Fulfil a Dream
Entrepreneurs often start side hustles to fulfil a dream. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of becoming a writer, and you’ve just realized that you can offer your services as a freelance blogger in your spare time. Or perhaps you’ve always dreamed of operating a small retail business and beginning a side hustle buying and selling certain goods.
Whatever it is that you aspire to, diving into a side hustle is a wonderful way of realizing your potential and fulfilling a dream. While you might not make millions from your side hustle, you will enjoy the immense personal satisfaction that you’ve committed to something you’re passionate about and turned a dream into a reality.
Develop New Relationships
Launching a side hustle is a guaranteed way of increasing your network and developing new relationships. Regardless of the nature of your side hustle, you will meet new people and be exposed to new and exciting opportunities that your new project has enabled.
As a freelancer or small business owner, you can meet people via social media, on designated platforms like RadialHub, or even in face-to-face meetings if the nature of your side hustle involves getting out in the real world to conduct your business. After several months of your side hustle, you will be better connected and have a whole host of new contacts who will help you grow and expand your operation.
Do it from Anywhere
Another great thing about the vast majority of side hustles is that they can be done from pretty much anywhere in the world. Although there are some exceptions, lots of freelancers begin their side hustle by opening their laptops and connecting to the internet, and this forms the basis of their future success.
And while your side hustle might start with humble beginnings, you never know where it might lead you. As you increase your client base and experience, you might aspire to become a digital nomad and head abroad, travelling from city to city while working from your laptop.
Consider a Career Change
Some people start a side hustle because they are thinking of changing careers. For instance, imagine if you’ve been working as a marketer for ten years, but you feel like it’s the right time to try something different. As you love writing, you offer your services as a blogger and start building up your client base in your spare time.
As you win more and more clients, you might be able to leave your job and pursue your side hustle full time. This transitional period is extremely common within the gig economy, as people don’t want to risk leaving a job without something lined up. If you’re considering a career change, starting your new venture as a side hustle is a great way to go about it.
Now is the Perfect Time to Launch a Side Hustle
Providing you have a computer and access to the internet, you can start a side hustle right now! RadialHub is the perfect platform on which to launch your side hustle or freelancing business, and you can connect with other gigsters for inspiration.
